Argentina storm sparks fire at YPF La Plata refinery

YPF said the fire started after flooding caused by a major rain storm cut electricity to the entire refinery. YPF said its personnel and firefighters from two nearby cities managed to bring the blaze under control in the early-morning hours. The company said there were no casualties.

Keywords:

By KEN PARKS

BUENOS AIRES -- Argentina's largest oil and gas company,
state-run YPF, said Wednesday that it has contained a major
fire at the country's largest oil refinery.

YPF said it suspended operations at its La Plata refinery after a fire broke out
Tuesday night in a coking oven.

"Within the coming hours, YPF will put in place a special
operating plan to restart operations at its industrial
complex," YPF said in a statement.

It wasn't immediately clear if the fire has been completely
extinguished.

YPF said the fire started after flooding caused by a major
rain storm cut electricity to the entire refinery. The same storm caused
power outages, flooding and at least half a dozen deaths in the
capital, Buenos Aires, and nearby cities.

YPF said its personnel and firefighters from two nearby
cities managed to bring the blaze under control at about 3 a.m.
EDT. The company said there were no casualties.

Lost production at La Plata refinery is hardly welcome news for
Argentina, which is already a major fuel importer.

Argentina's government ramped up production at YPF's
refineries after President Cristina Kirchner last year seized a
51% stake in the company from its former controlling
shareholder, Spain's Repsol.

Dow Jones Newswires

Have your say

All comments are subject to editorial review.
All fields are compulsory.